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UTM to co-host ‘town-gown’ symposium

Delegates from across the province and around the world will gather in Mississauga next month for the annual Town and Gown Association of Ontario (TGAO) Symposium, to explore the unique relationship between universities and colleges, and the communities in which they are located.

The association aims to improve the quality of life in municipalities that host post-secondary institutions by promoting and supporting activities that ensure safe, healthy and enjoyable communities. TGAO works across all levels of government, identifies common challenges and works collaboratively to find solutions.

The symposium runs May 12-13, and includes walking and self-guided tours of the city. Mississauga is this year’s host city, with U of T Mississauga and Sheridan College acting as host post-secondary institutions and providing host facilities. University of Toronto president Meric Gertler will give the two-day symposium’s keynote address.

Professor Deep Saini, principal of U of T Mississauga and vice-president of U of T, will sit on a May 12 leadership panel with Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie and Sheridan College CEO & president Jeff Zabudsky.

“The partnership that exists amongst the City, U of T Mississauga and Sheridan College is key to building a safe, healthy and prosperous community,” says Saini. “By working with local government, industry and business organizations, we are not only helping our young people succeed but, more importantly, we’re driving prosperity and improving the quality of life for all in Mississauga.”

Faculty, staff and students from UTM will play a large role in the meeting’s program. Professor Ulli Krull, vice-principal of special initiatives, and Professor Scott Prosser, director of UTM’s Master of Biotechnology program, will provide a case study of the MBiotech program.

Dale Mullings, assistant dean, students and international initiatives, and Felicity Morgan, director of UTM’s Career Centre, will speak on Connecting International Students to our Cities. Chad Nuttall, director of student housing and residence life, will discuss Successful Student Housing for Commuter Campuses. And, student development officer Adam Fraser will lead a campus safety panel.

Other sessions of note include Innovation and Economic Development in the US: Complementary Roles of Higher Ed, Government, Industry and Investors (Thomas Moebus, deputy director of SUNY Levin Institute, State University of New York), Students Being Leaders of Tomorrow (Sheldon Leiba, president and CEO, Mississauga Board of Trade), and Why are we Seeking more Urban and Integrated Centres (Ken Greenberg, principal, Greenberg Consultants, et. al.).